Coleman Hammond – Bakersfield HS

Coleman Hammond – Bakersfield HS, Senior
By Pablo DiMaria
High School Correspondent

Q: Do you have a ritual you do before every wrestling match?
A: I go and find my dad. We always make some small talk and it helps me get at ease.

Q: What do you do in the off-season to prepare for the regular season?
A: I am a big fan of freestyle wrestling. Every off-season I train freestyle and get prepared for Fargo. I missed last Fargo because I had an injury, but I’m planning on being there this summer.

Q: What’s your favorite move?
A: That’s a tough one. Anything that gets the crowd going I’m going to go for.

Q: Why Cal State Bakersfield? Did your brother (current wrestler Bryce Hammond) and the fact that there’s four other Drillers in the team, influence you to sign with them?
A: I have a great relationship with Coach Mendoza. He is an awesome guy and someone who I really look up to. He is someone you want to be around a lot. I wanted to go to a place where I felt at home. It worked out really good that it’s only 10 minutes away from my home. It’s been a real blessing being able to watch Bryce wrestle in college. He is like my best friend and we really feed off of each other. I wanted to go somewhere where I had the chance to do something special and leave an impact. It’s time we had a year-round college powerhouse in California again. I believe we have a great shot at doing that at Cal State Bakersfield. I’m looking forward to joining my old teammates again.

Q: Were you born into a wrestling family or were you introduced into the sport as a young child?
A: My father wrestled for Cal State back in the 80s, so I grew up around it, but he never forced me to do it. I have always wanted to compete and both my parents are very supportive of my brothers and myself with wrestling.

Q: Bakersfield has a strong tradition of State Champions and placers, what is the atmosphere in the room like?
A: When you walk into our room you see names such as Darrell Vasquez, Nathan Morgan, Jake Varner, and Bryce Hammond (my brother). Those are some of the best high school wrestlers ever. There is so much pride in just walking into the room. You want to be that next big name to come out of this program. I’m amazed sometimes when I look across the room and there isn’t one guy in the room who isn’t giving it his best. We have a great atmosphere that so many greats have thrived in. Coach Andy Varner really gets us going. He always knows what we need. It’s been a blast wrestling for him in high school and it’s going to be weird not competing for him next year. I have definitely enjoyed my time wrestling for him.

Q: What was it like to meet Olympic Champion Jake Varner?
A: I have grown up with Jake. It was so great to watch him win the Olympics this summer. I stayed up all night and watched the tournament. When something that big happens in a community its so neat to see how much support Jake has received during the entire cycle. He is someone I have always looked up to and its humbling to see his hard work pay off.

Q: How big is the rivalry between Clovis and Bakersfield?
A: Since I have been in high school we have been 1 and 2 in the state every year. We see them so much during the year there’s a certain familiarity you have towards their wrestlers. It’s a team you don’t want to lose to because of how much success they have had. They run a great program and they’re so well-organized. I have the utmost respect for all their coaches and wrestlers. I’m a sore loser, so just like any other team I have a great desire to compete and do well against.

Q: Who has been the toughest opponent you have wrestled?
A: My teammates throughout the years in high school. You wrestle them every day, year in and year out. You become so familiar with each other you know all their set-ups. It becomes frustrating wrestling someone who knows you so well, but that’s when you really take that next step in becoming better, when you’re able to beat someone who knows you so well.

Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: I want to help get Cal State back on the map. When I graduate college I want that program to be producing national champs and All Americans each year. I strongly believe Bryce will be able to get on the podium this year. He has been a huge building block for that program.

Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: Chinese food all the way. That’s my guilty pleasure.

Q: Which artist do you listen to the most?
A: I’m a big country music fan. Eric Church has got to be my favorite.

Q: What will happen in March when you wrestle in CIF-State?
A: I don’t know what will happen in March, but I do know you’ll see me leaving everything on the mat.